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When the Luna Vanished
Chapter 1
After my fifth daughter died, I made sure to shed every single habit my mate, the Alpha, couldn’t stand.
His military training exercise ended on the 7th, so I scheduled my duty shift for the 8th.
If he wanted to spend time with his childhood sweetheart, I’d quietly step out of our marital suite and take my things up to the quiet attic.
Even on the day of the burial, when the mortician asked me to inform the father, I just answered, calm as still water, “She doesn’t have a father.”
One of the staff recognized me. “You’re Luna Celeste, aren’t you? Alpha Isaac is just over at the adjacent camp — should I go get him?”
I shook my head gently, “No need.”
Half an hour later, Issac Bennett still arrived.
The man’s sharp features were darkened by a stormy ferocity, his voice cold and low. “Celeste Brown! Why didn’t you wait? I’m Harper’s father, too!”
My voice remained steady, “You’re swamped with pack business. Harper would understand.”
That overly compliant response irritated Issac for no reason.
He opened his mouth, but the whispers swirling around us nailed his boots to the ground.
“Alpha Issac dotes on Layra so much—he guarded her day and night just because she had a nightmare, ignoring his own daughter’s funeral.”
“See? He only came after Layra fell asleep.”
“Layra killed five daughters of Alpha Issac and Luna Celeste, yet Alpha Issac still protects her. How forgiving!”
Isaac’s hands clenched into fists. His gaze turned wary, fixed on me, braced for the hysterical scene he was used to.
But not even my eyelashes fluttered. I simply laid the last handful of soil over the grave in silence.
“Celeste, Layra’s ill,” he said, “she only took her anger out on the children. Don’t hold it against her.”
“You’re healthy—you can have more kids. We’ll have a family again someday.”
Issac’s tone sounded uneasy. I nodded calmly.
What he didn’t know? He was naturally sterile.
I had to beg the Golden Witch ninety-nine times before she finally gave me five moonstones, each capable of granting a single wish.
I used every single one to wish for his child.
After birthing five daughters, it was time to keep my promise to the Golden Witch.
In three days, I’d leave Stormborn Pack.
And he? He was destined to die without an heir.
Back at Stormborn Pack’s wolfhouse, Layra Clark and former Luna Mrs. Bennett waited for me.
Mrs. Bennett snapped, “Celeste Brown has lost five children in a row—she must be morally corrupt, unfit to be a mother!”
“The Stormborn line has held strong for over a century, with a single heir in each generation. She couldn’t give us a son. Now she can’t even keep a daughter breathing!”
“Issac, your father is furious. He expects an explanation.”
Issac frowned, glancing at my pale face.
“Mother, I understand. I’ll handle it.”
But Mrs. Bennett didn’t leave.
“Your mother needs to know how you intend to punish Celeste Brown. A punishment will satisfy your father.”
My fingers clenched the fabric of my dress. Against all reason, a sliver of hope stirred in my chest—that he would finally speak the truth about our daughters’ deaths.
But he didn’t.
He only spoke impatiently, “What do you want? Celeste just gave birth—are you trying to kill her?”
Seeing Mrs. Bennett’s anger flare, Layra Clark tugged gently at Issac’s sleeve.
“Alpha, Mrs. Bennett means well,” she said softly.
“A light punishment won’t satisfy Mrs. Bennett or the Elders' Council, but a harsh one would break your mate. Why not make her kneel the steps of the forest chapel on the outskirts to pray for blessings? It serves two purposes, doesn’t it?”
Issac hesitated, his eyes softening as he looked at my fragile state.
But in the end, he said, “Do as you suggest.”
Mrs. Bennett finally calmed, and Layra Clark escorted her out.
Issac’s face filled with guilt as he squeezed my hand.
“Celeste… I’m sorry. I know you’ve been wronged. But don’t blame me for keeping quiet. It’s for the best, for everyone. Layla… she never meant to cause you pain.”
“My mother never approved of Layra for failing to bear a son, so she made me marry you and keep Layra as my mistress. If mother learns Layra killed our children, Layra will die.”
He’d said these exact words five times—maybe more.
But kneeling three thousand steps of the forest chapel? For someone who’d just given birth, it would take half her life, if not all of it.
I hadn’t always submitted.
Last time, he’d skipped the pack meeting just to have a candlelit dinner with Layra Clark.
Mrs. Bennett was enraged and wanted to punish Layra.
Without hesitation, Issac pushed me forward—pregnant with our fourth child at four months—and blamed me for inciting her.
I’d snapped, revealing the truth on the spot.
In the end, Layra was punished by Mrs. Bennett.
Isaac ignored my desperate pleading and had my most loyal maid beaten to death with rods.
His excuse? I’d spoken out of turn, and punishing a servant would serve as a warning.
My heart had long gone numb.
Thankfully, the Golden Witch had promised I’d be free in three days.
I looked at Isaac, my voice steady. “Your mother is right. I couldn’t keep a single one of my five children. I deserve this.”